Council Approves Naming Field for Michael Callero

In honor of Michael Callero’s years of service to the city, the South San Francisco city council Wednesday unanimously approved naming the baseball field in Callero’s memory.

Callero, who passed away from melanoma cancer in 2009 at the age of 59, coached baseball with the South San Francisco Youth Baseball League Association as well as and .

“He shared his time, he shared his talent, he shared his humor,” said Callero’s sister, Dee Callero Canepa as she addressed the council. “He didn’t teach sportsmanship; he lived it.”

Callero lived in South City for more than 30 years before moving to Petaluma in 2001; with his passing he left a legacy of 43 years of volunteer service.

In order for a site to be named in honor of a citizen, there are three areas of criteria that the individual must meet, said Sharon Ranals, director of Parks and Recreation.

The individual must have delivered outstanding public service, must have had a relationship with the proposed site and the relationship between that public service and site should be evaluated.

Vice Mayor Richard Garbarino mentioned that Callero had coached his son.

“He was just a great guy, and I can’t think of a more fitting tribute,” Garbarino said.

Canepa, who was accompanied by her mother, mentioned that a scoreboard would be donated to the site in Callero’s honor.

“We’re asking for an opportunity to continue his vision,” she said.

The Council unanimously approved the action with applause from the audience.

The final decision for the naming now rests with the South San Francisco school board.

“I could not think of a more worthy individual for this honor,” said Mayor Kevin Mullin.